Businesses have to compete now more than ever. They have to deal with competition across the street, across town and even across the continent. Businesses now have to compete with similar institutions on a global scale to improve profitability and market share.

Companies are having to be more creative to lure in new business. People’s attention spans are growing shorter the more they are connected to the Internet and social media. Businesses are having to deal with the impact of negative reviews or news stories that can dramatically affect their operations.

If you have a retail storefront, one of the things that you want to do is to increase your customer footprint on a regular basis. Your store should be clean and efficient to move around. It should be well-maintained and free of pollutants such as smoke. An appealing storefront and eye-catching displays should generate interest and curiosity. From there, you and your employees should be able to listen to customers’ wants and help them find the right product to satisfy their needs.

Here are some successful ways to attract more customers to your business:

1. Happy customers will usually tell their friends and family members about their experience

Word of mouth is a very effective free marketing tool that is far too important to be ignored. When you are meeting with a new customer, take the time to genuinely listen to them. They are stopping in your store because they have a want or need that is unfulfilled. Taking the time to help them with their product selection and providing excellent customer service is a sure way to make the customer happy. Happy customers tend to tell others about their experience at your store. They also tend to be repeat customers over time.

2. Advertise discounts and deals

Every shopper likes a good deal. Even if it’s not necessarily a great deal, the perception of a big discount or huge savings can generate consumer interest and enthusiasm. Advertising sales or “limited time offers” can create a sense of urgency in shoppers’ minds. These deals won’t last forever! They may end up spending more at your store during these special events. This can lead to longer lines at the cash register, but more business and improved overall profitability.

3. People love free stuff

Who doesn’t like getting something for nothing? Businesses have many opportunities to create more business by offering free items or giveaways to their customers. You could offer a free phone charger or phone case with the purchase of a new phone, for example. You could also offer a free trial of your product or service for a limited time. These are great ways to get people into your store. It’s risk-free for the customers, and while they’re there they may find a few more things to buy.

4. Contests and prizes are attention-getters

Some companies participate in regular contest or prize drawings to bring in more business. Fun events like these are effective and are good ways to make your company memorable. Just make sure that you have a budget for such events, and stick to it. Also, make sure that any disclaimers are clearly explained. The last thing you want is for a loophole to be exposed that can cost more you more money than anticipated, or worse yet, generate negative publicity for your company.

5. Embrace the power of search engine and social media marketing

Most of your customer base is already online every day, so finding ways to engage with them online is great for your bottom line. You should have an appealing website with content that is updated on a regular basis. You can create marketing newsletters and personalized emails thanking clients for their business or offering them deals that they can’t get anywhere else. You should also have several pages on social media. You can interact with your customers online by offering online-exclusive offers and other special promotions. There are many ways that you can keep your current customers engaged while also interacting with new potential clients.

These are just a few common sense ways to attract more customers to your business with SEO. Most of them are very cost-effective and don’t take a lot of time out of your business. Just be sure to address any customer concerns or complaints in a positive manner. Respond to them appropriately and professionally. Do what you can to resolve the issue and leave them feeling content. Every client should feel that your business is one of the best in the industry, and offers good customer service. Being proactive with your marketing efforts can only help your company continue to grow and thrive.